Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project

Guest: Lisa R. Hardesty, Ph.D., ABPP, PCC, Board Certified Clinical Health Psychologist | Certified Executive Coach at PCC Level | Mayo Clinic

In our hyperpaced and active world, we are constantly bombarded by external noise, signals, and messaging. Unfortunately, these external stimuli often distract us from listening to our own internal cues. In fact, many of us intentionally try to block out how we feel physically and try to keep pushing through. Well, what if some of these signals form our bodies we are blocking out are actually important for improving our performance? How can we use them for good?

To help us with this, our expert guest today is Dr. Lisa Hardesty.

The three big questions we are going to answer for you are:

1. What is somatic intelligence, and why do we need to get better at it?


2. Why is it so hard to listen to our physical bodies and respond appropriately?


3. Can you give us a step-by-step approach to maximizing our somatic intelligence to improve peace and performance?

How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:

Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better

Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random)

Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes

Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions for each episode, and feel free to add your own!

Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action!

Discussion Questions for this Episode: 

1) How do you personally define “somatic intelligence” after reviewing this topic?

2) Discuss the difference between your cognitive intelligence, emotional intelligence, and somatic (physical) intelligence. How are they different, and how are they related to one another?

3) What has been your approach to somatic intelligence in the past? Do you tend to ignore these signals from your body, or do you tend to perseverate on them excessively? Does it depend on the situation? Why do you think you approach it this way? What is helpful or unhelpful about your approach?   

4) What are some of the clear downsides of having a low somatic intelligence (either not being aware of your physical state, or focusing on it excessively in unhelpful ways)?

5) If you were able to do a better job of listening to your body’s intelligence, what benefits do you think you would experience?

6) What are some common barriers or misconceptions you think people might have that prevent them from using their somatic intelligence to improve their performance?

7) Do a quick (2 minute) somatic check-in that was outlined in section three of the session. What did you notice that you hadn’t noticed previously? Now, name that, and think about why you feel that way. How does naming and understanding that physical sensation impact how you view it?  

8) Tell your group at least one new thing (action step) you are going to do or behavior you are going to adopt to improve your somatic intelligence.

9) After others list the "one new thing" of "action step" they are going to do, help them refine that to make it more: clear, objective, measurable, and simple. The more we can make our actions clear, objective, measurable, and simple, the more likely we are to do them and enjoy the process!

Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize

X: @MayoHumanOpProj

Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj

YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube

Email: optimize@mayo.edu